The MakerHive has a laser cutter!

[jimustanguitar]

SeeMeCNC and Glenn worked out a deal to get a laser cutter at The Hive!!!
Please consider making a donation to the cause to help offset the cost. 



The rules and guidelines still need to be ironed out, but from last night's conversation it seems like it makes sense to cover wear and tear on the machine with an hourly rate to use the machine and some sort of system to buy the materials as we need them. Training will be required, and the rates will be different for members and non-members. More on that later. 

The cutter comes with its own software, which appears to be pretty neat. You can get the installer, drivers, and manual from the MakerHive Drive here:
drive.google.com/open?id=0B_uWAJ5IB4pTMExtNzE3SnRKYkk 
* One note, you must be plugged into the machine to complete the install. 

Plugging into the machine requires a USB A to A cable, which is a little strange. Bob saved the day and just happened to have a short one. I just pitched in and ordered a pair of 1m long cables and a 2 meter one for next week. 

Other things we'll need:
Masking Paper
Cleaning Alcohol
Lens cloths
Distilled Water
Swabs
Safety Glasses
A flange for the fan
Longer exhaust tubing
And some time calibrating and adjusting the machine. 

Please pick up some supplies to help support the group! We'll probably need masking paper next, does anybody have a lead on what/where to buy?

[BeeAmaker]

We have plenty of Denatured Alcohol so that's covered.
I'll get the longer tubing so it will reach out the door.
We have safety glasses but not the Laser blocking type.

[captaininfosec]

What sort of exhaust tubing is needed, and what length? I have flex hose in my shop that might work depending on how much is needed.

[ZionPhil]

Jul 29, 2016 11:57:00 GMT -5 jimustanguitar said:

SeeMeCNC and Glenn worked out a deal to get a laser cutter at The Hive!!!
Please consider making a donation to the cause to help offset the cost. 



The rules and guidelines still need to be ironed out, but from last night's conversation it seems like it makes sense to cover wear and tear on the machine with an hourly rate to use the machine and some sort of system to buy the materials as we need them. Training will be required, and the rates will be different for members and non-members. More on that later. 

The cutter comes with its own software, which appears to be pretty neat. You can get the installer, drivers, and manual from the MakerHive Drive here:
drive.google.com/open?id=0B_uWAJ5IB4pTMExtNzE3SnRKYkk 
* One note, you must be plugged into the machine to complete the install. 

Plugging into the machine requires a USB A to A cable, which is a little strange. Bob saved the day and just happened to have a short one. I just pitched in and ordered a pair of 1m long cables and a 2 meter one for next week. 

Other things we'll need:
Masking Paper
Cleaning Alcohol
Lens cloths
Distilled Water
Swabs
Safety Glasses
A flange for the fan
Longer exhaust tubing
And some time calibrating and adjusting the machine. 

Please pick up some supplies to help support the group! We'll probably need masking paper next, does anybody have a lead on what/where to buy?

404 Error. Check your links

[jimustanguitar]

Jul 31, 2016 17:54:05 GMT -5 ZionPhil said:

Jul 29, 2016 11:57:00 GMT -5 jimustanguitar said:

404 Error. Check your links

Try it now. The URL was correct, but the site wasn't linking it correctly. I highlighted it and told it specifically that it was a URL. The characters in the link were identical. Works for me now. 

[BeeAmaker]

I will pick up a 6" to 4" reducer and a 4" flange for the blower this week.

[purduejay]

How many gallons of distilled water do we need?

[jimustanguitar]

Aug 8, 2016 9:58:47 GMT -5 purduejay said:

How many gallons of distilled water do we need?

Probably just one for now. I think it's mostly full, so we'll just be topping off what may evaporate over time. 

No heads or tails, just bring us hearts

[captaininfosec]

If things work out properly, I'll bring the 4" exhaust hose over for the meeting tomorrow night. Is there anything else we need still? If I've got it, I'll bring it!

[BeeAmaker]

Don't think so. Where I placed it, we shouldn't need much hose at all. I have the flange we need for the 6" hose so we should be good!

[jimustanguitar]

The Hive has obviously got some of the most experienced laser cutting gurus that are out there, but for some self study at home this might be interesting.
www.instructables.com/class/Laser-Cutting-Class-1/
It's free if you have a premium membership. 


I found this little gem in the first lesson. Pretty handy. 
www.makercase.com/

[DanWake]

I've ordered five pairs of laser glasses from our favorite web retailer to help the cause.

[DanWake]

Aug 11, 2016 8:47:05 GMT -5 jimustanguitar said:

The Hive has obviously got some of the most experienced laser cutting gurus that are out there, but for some self study at home this might be interesting.
www.instructables.com/class/Laser-Cutting-Class-1/
It's free if you have a premium membership. 


I found this little gem in the first lesson. Pretty handy. 
www.makercase.com/

And to get a free premium membership, all you have to is post something that makes the front page - simple!

Another option for making tabbed boxes is a nice plugin for Inkscape - github.com/paulh-rnd/TabbedBoxMaker I tried that out last Thursday and it worked really well.

[sgraber]

Aug 8, 2016 9:58:47 GMT -5 purduejay said:

How many gallons of distilled water do we need?

I can pretty much supply you with however much distilled water you need.  18MOhm laboratory grade RODI to be exact.  

[jimustanguitar]

Saving for later.
www.thingiverse.com/ZenziWerken/designs/page:1